feature Archives

AppWizard

September 4, 2026

DLSS 5 can be jammed into almost any game now, so I’ve been playing FM26 with neural rendered little computer people because that’s just what I do

The integration of DLSS 5 .dll files into various games has produced mixed results, with some enhancements working well while others cause visual glitches. A review of The Blood of Dawnwalker revealed issues with the DLSS pipeline, resulting in an unexpected undead appearance for a character. A demonstration at Gamescom showed that DLSS 5 can significantly enhance visuals when used correctly, particularly with Model C at 60-70% intensity. However, Nvidia has noted that DLSS 5 can lead to a 50-60% reduction in frame rates, especially at 4K resolution. For example, on an RTX 5090, frame rates dropped from approximately 110 fps to below 50 fps with DLSS 5 activated. DLSS 5 can also run on lower-spec GPUs, although it was initially demonstrated with dual RTX 5090s. In Football Manager 26, DLSS 5 improved visuals without achieving photorealism, maintaining a steady 60 fps. The ReShade HDR Installer allows users to integrate DLSS tools into unsupported games, but results may vary and troubleshooting may be necessary. The official release of DLSS 5 will not include the fine-tuning sliders available through ReShade, which could complicate the preservation of developers' artistic intent. For best results, users should use the Upscaled or DLSS version of DLSS-NR rather than the 'Present' method, and may need to try different RenoDX DLSS 5 tools if issues arise.

Winsage

September 4, 2026

Microsoft Will Bring Memory Integrity Protection to More Windows 11 PCs in October

Microsoft is expanding the memory integrity protection feature in Windows 11, starting in October. This enhancement aims to strengthen security at the kernel level against sophisticated attacks. Memory integrity protection operates in the background with minimal user configuration. It utilizes Virtualization-based Security (VBS) to create isolated virtual environments for added protection. The system can install security hotpatches without requiring a hard restart, beneficial for critical environments. Large organizations will automatically benefit from this enhancement, while devices with memory integrity disabled will not have it activated automatically. The rollout will enable VBS by default for users, who can choose to disable it but should do so with caution.

AppWizard

September 4, 2026

Digital Wellbeing could soon give you a weekly reality check

Google is developing a feature called Weekly wrap for its Digital Wellbeing app, which will provide users with a summary of their phone usage over the week. In the beta version 1.47.964183037.beta, code strings indicate that Weekly wrap will generate insights based on phone activity, presenting notifications that summarize usage in a contextual manner. The feature will highlight significant changes in usage trends, utilizing Gemini Nano to process data on users' devices while ensuring privacy. It will convey changes in a user-friendly format, avoiding overwhelming statistics and using descriptive language. Users will have the option to manage notifications related to the Weekly wrap feature.

AppWizard

September 4, 2026

Digital Wellbeing could get multi-app timers, a new dashboard, Bedtime mode tweaks, and more

Google is revamping the interface of its Digital Wellbeing app to enhance user experience by focusing on features like app activity, app timers, and Bedtime mode. The current interface is cluttered, and the redesign aims to simplify navigation and improve accessibility. The app timers feature will allow users to set collective daily limits for multiple apps simultaneously, making it more efficient. The Bedtime mode will change to eliminate collapsible sections, displaying all options by default and prioritizing the Bedtime routine at the top of the page. These enhancements are still experimental, and it is uncertain when they will be available to users.

AppWizard

September 4, 2026

Google Clock rolls out redesign of Timers with presets on Android

Google Clock has introduced a redesigned Timers tab with a fresh design and new app icon. The update includes preset timers for 1, 5, 10, and 15 minutes, which can be started with a tap. The interface now uses full labels for Hours, Minutes, and Seconds instead of abbreviations. A green "Start" button has replaced the former icon, and the number pad has a flatter appearance without circular backgrounds. The layout for multiple timers has been changed to a grid format for better navigation, while the single timer design remains the same with a repositioned pause button and a reset option outside the countdown. This redesign is part of a server-side update linked to version 9.1 of Google Clock. Users may need to force stop the app to see the changes.

Winsage

September 4, 2026

Microsoft says KB5120998 Windows update resets desktop settings

Microsoft has acknowledged an issue affecting some Windows devices after the installation of the KB5120998 preview update released on August 27, 2026. This issue primarily impacts Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2, causing desktop settings, including wallpaper and themes, to reset or be lost, often resulting in a solid black background. Users are unable to manually restore their customized settings due to the issue preventing the correct loading of settings. The KB5120998 update was intended to enhance the Start menu, taskbar, and Windows search but inadvertently introduced complications, including changes to mouse settings that cannot be restored. The update is optional but installs automatically for users with the "Get the latest updates as soon as they're available" feature enabled. A similar bug occurred in February 2020 with the KB4539602 update, which disrupted desktop wallpaper functionality.

Winsage

September 4, 2026

Windows 11 will start telling apps your age, but Microsoft says it won’t share your birthday

Microsoft is integrating age verification directly into Windows 11, allowing applications to access users' age ranges (e.g., 13-15 or 18+) without disclosing their actual birthdays. This is facilitated through new system-level APIs, specifically the GetUserAgeRangeAsync function, which returns one of five defined age ranges: Under 10 (0-9), 10-12 (10-12), 13-15 (13-15), 16-17 (16-17), and 18+ (18 and above). Another API, GetAgeVerificationStatusAsync, indicates whether the age was independently verified with statuses like Verified, Unverified, OptedOut, TemporarilyUnavailable, or NotApplicable. Microsoft validates the identity of the calling app to ensure security, limiting access to these age signals. This initiative aligns with regulatory demands for enhanced child safety measures in regions like the UK, EU, and U.S., where states are moving toward operating-system-level mandates for age verification.

Tech Optimizer

September 3, 2026

Bitdefender vs Norton 2026: Which Antivirus Wins?

Norton and Bitdefender both have a malware detection rate of 99.8%. Norton excels in phishing protection, blocking 95% of phishing attempts compared to Bitdefender's 89%. In terms of system impact, Bitdefender uses 11% CPU and 183 MB RAM during scans, while Norton uses 23% CPU and 384 MB RAM. Norton offers features such as cloud backup, parental controls, and unlimited VPN, whereas Bitdefender lacks cloud backup and has a limited VPN. Pricing for both is competitive, but Bitdefender generally has cheaper renewal costs. Norton provides faster customer support response times. In a comparison of nine categories, Norton won five and Bitdefender won three. For users needing backup and parental controls, Norton is preferred; for those with older laptops, Bitdefender is recommended.

AppWizard

September 3, 2026

How to check if Motion Assist has rolled out to your Android 17 phone

Google has introduced a new feature called Motion Assist for devices running on Android 17, which is designed to enhance user experience while in motion. Users can access Motion Assist through the Settings app or by searching for it. The feature includes a preference menu to automatically start when in a moving vehicle and can be activated via a Quick Settings Tile. It offers customization options for color, shape, opacity, and randomization of dynamic shapes that adapt to the device's motion, potentially reducing motion sickness. Motion Assist is currently in early rollout, associated with version 26.33.32 of Google Play services, and is only available on select devices.

AppWizard

September 3, 2026

A Documentary About the Life and Legacy of Beloved Minecraft Creator Technoblade Is Officially in the Works

Technoblade was a prominent Minecraft creator known for his humor and competitive skills, who shared his cancer diagnosis with fans in 2021 and maintained a resilient spirit until his passing in June 2022 at the age of 23. A documentary titled “Technoblade Never Dies” is in production, supported by Riot Games and Hypixel Studios, with profits going to charity. The film is being developed by Candle Media’s Candle True Stories and aims to share Technoblade’s story and community with a global audience. Technoblade achieved 10 million YouTube subscribers in late 2021, and his YouTube channel currently has nearly 23 million subscribers. His final message to fans, shared through a video titled “so long nerds,” revealed his first name, Alex, and became one of the most-watched videos on YouTube in 2022. The phrase “Technoblade never dies” has become a tribute within the gaming community, and his legacy continues to influence content, including a tribute in the upcoming 2025 film “A Minecraft Movie.”